Published: 12 October, 2009, 21:36
Edited: 19 October, 2009, 09:23
Ukraine’s Greco-Catholic and Orthodox churches have dedicated to God an icon favouring the upcoming Euro 2012 to be jointly organized by Ukraine and Poland.
The cultus image depicts Mother and Child above a football pitch, reports the Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church official website.
The icon created by director Raguli Vasidze and painter Vasily Stefurak was dedicated in the western Ukrainian city of Kolomyya. Local diocesan Nikolai says the art represents a private view of the largest European football event “through the alembic of Christian conscience”.
Diocesan Nikolai insists he sees no elements of heresy in it.
”I must say, I don’t find any heresy in the icon and that is why I came to bless the intention of two enterprising people,” he said before adding: “Of course, for us this is something new, but on the whole the idea is good.”
Meanwhile, speaking about the purpose of creating such an icon, Vasily Stefurak said he had recently felt “an inflow of negative information” on whether Ukraine will hold the 2012 event or not. One should now “consolidate and do what has to be done,” he added.
”People, who will visit Ukraine during Euro 2012, should remember not only our stadiums but also our culture, spirituality. That’s the main aim of this project,” explains Raguli Vasidze.
European football’s governing body, the UEFA, has many times criticized Ukraine for their lack of preparedness. So far, only Kiev and partly Donetsk meet all requirements, with Lvov and Kharkov remaining under-prepared. The final decision on which cities will host Euro 2012 will be announced in December 2009.